Stadium dream comes to life

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
IT TOOK 15 years and a great deal of community time and effort from parents and teachers to see the completion of Wandin Yallock Primary School’s new stadium.
The students were more than happy at the official opening of their indoor basketball courts, which can also be used for school assemblies and undercover markets.
Teacher Maryanne Dooley remembered when the stadium project was just a dream.
‘It turned into a local effort ‘ we had parents getting concrete for us, walls, organising the power and lights,’ she said.
‘They helped make the money go further and now it’s a great facility.’
The stadium has been insulated for the winter and has roller doors to let in a breeze during the summer.
It includes toilets, change rooms and a kitchen area at one end of the stadium.
However, not all of the students were thrilled when they were told their physical education classes would run rain, hail or shine.
Wandin Yallock Primary School principal Christine Shiel said parents and teachers were excited to finally celebrate the stadium’s completion, which began as just a roof in 1998.
Slowly other features were added over the years, and 25 per cent of every fundraising effort went towards the stadium.
Ms Shiel said the stadium was completed mostly with community time, money and materials donated to the school, as well as federal National School Pride funding of $125,000.
Students are looking forward to celebrating 140 years of the school during their November celebrations.